Minersville's Dante Carr (6) slips through a tackle by Williams Valley's Blazer Lords (20) as the Vikings' Evan Achenbach (11) gives chase during their Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division game Sept. 12, 2025 in Minersville (Photo by Kelly Wiley).

The quest for a district or subregional championship will follow a familiar path for a majority of our area’s remaining high school football teams.

Seven area squads advanced to Week 12 with playoff victories last weekend:

** Tri-Valley (7-4) was crowned the District 11 Class A champion and will face Lackawanna Trail (10-1) in Friday’s District 2/11 Class A subregional final.

** Blue Mountain routed Lehighton to reach the District 11 Class 4A semifinals. The Eagles (7-4) visit top-seeded Southern Lehigh (10-1) tonight in Center Valley.

** North Schuylkill and Tamaqua prevailed in District 11 Class 3A quarterfinal games and advanced to Friday’s semifinals. The Spartans (8-3) visit Northwestern Lehigh (11-0) while the Blue Raiders (4-7) trek to Lafayette College to take on Notre Dame-Green Pond (11-0).

** Schuylkill Haven, Williams Valley and Minersville captured District 11 Class AA quarterfinal victories and will compete in semifinal games Saturday night. The top-seeded Hurricanes (11-0) host Northern Lehigh (8-3) while the Miners (9-2) and Vikings (10-1) tangle between the pines in Williamstown. Both games are at 6 p.m.

The Blue Mountain-Southern Lehigh, North Schuylkill-Northwestern Lehigh and Minersville-Williams Valley games are rematches of contests from earlier this season. Tri-Valley and Lackawanna Trail squared off in the same subregional title game last year.

Complete coverage of all six local high school football playoff games can be found on www.102sportsnow.com, with four of the six games being broadcasted live on either T-102 or WPPA radio.

Tickets for all District 11 playoff games cost $7 (plus applicable fees) and must be purchased online at events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/districtxi. No tickets will be sold at the gate. Spectators age 65 years of age and older are admitted free with proof of age. There are no refunds for any reason.

Here’s a capsule look at this weekend’s games:

Tonight’s game

District 11 Class 4A Semifinal

Blue Mountain (7-4) at Southern Lehigh (10-1)

Kickoff: 6:35 p.m.

TV/Radio: WAVT 101.9 FM (T-102)

Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now writer Bob Lipsky on X @BobLipskyRH

Last week: Blue Mountain blasted Lehighton 42-7; Southern Lehigh throttled Bangor 56-0

Stat Leaders: Blue Mountain — QB Cohen Kirby 95-161, 1,588 yards, 18 TDs, 2 Int; RB Carter Smith 103-889, 8 TDs; RB Brody Foose 97-673, 9 TDs; WR Chase Guers 30-493, 6 TDs; WR Josh Hoover 18-432, 5 TDs; WR Kole Luckenbill 17-302, 2 TDs; TE Frankie Russo 17-193, 3 TDs; LB Reese Miller 83 tackles, 4 TFLs, 4 sacks. Southern Lehigh — RB Sean Steckert 221-1,922, 26 TDs; QB Colton Sams 137-186, 1,956, 27 TDs, 3 Int; WR Luke Kawczenski 33-493, 4 TDs; WR Darius Roman 35-497, 8 TDs; WR Otto Young 23-434, 6 TDs; WR/LB Jacoby Jacobs 17-232, 5 TDs, 71 tackles, 2 Int.

Breakdown: The Eagles and Spartans met in Week 2 in Center Valley, with Southern Lehigh capturing a 28-0 victory. Steckert rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns as the Spartans converted three Blue Mountain turnovers into touchdowns. The Eagles were held to just 117 total yards. …. Several things have changed since that meeting. First, Kirby has matured and blossomed into a superstar-level quarterback that plays with confidence. He is much better than his 2-for-12 performance in the first meeting. His ability to read the defense and find an open receiver has been a catalyst for Blue Mountain’s offensive success the second half of the season. His receiving corps of Guers, Hoover, Luckenbill and Russo offer a great mix of speed and skill, giving him plenty of weapons. Second, Smith has emerged as a consistent threat in the backfield, combining with Foose to form a potent 1-2 rushing duo that offers a mix of power and speed. Third, Blue Mountain is healthy, with Miller and Luckenbill both banged up for that first meeting. Finally, the Eagles are playing with a lot of confidence. Friday’s win over Lehighton was their first District 11 playoff win since 2007. ….. For Blue Mountain to turn the tables, the Eagles will have to play clean football (no turnovers, no silly penalties) and be better up front. Blue Mountain must win the battle of the trenches on both sides of the ball. If the Eagles can contain Steckert, they have a fighter’s chance.

Up next: Winner faces the Allentown Central Catholic-Bethlehem Catholic winner in next week’s District 11 Class 4A championship game at a neutral site.

Friday’s games

District 11 Class 3A semifinal

North Schuylkill (8-3) at Northwestern Lehigh (11-0)

Kickoff: 7:10 p.m.

TV/Radio: WAVT 101.9 FM (T-102); Blue Ridge Cable TV-13; PennSportsRadio.com

Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now content editor Leroy Boyer @pubsportsboss

Last week: North Schuylkill downed Panther Valley 53-27; Northwestern Lehigh blanked Palmerton 42-0

Stat Leaders: North Schuylkill — QB Caden Mengel, 65-112, 1,159 yards, 13 TDs, 3 Int passing, 57-387, 7 TDs rushing; RB Luke Miller 209-2,454, 29 rushing TDs; WR Landen Smith, 20-507, 5 TDs; WR Julian Nelson 18-247, 4 TDs; LB Seth Hubler 82 tackles, 11 TFLs. Northwestern Lehigh — QB Shane Leh 106-150, 1,860, 20 TDs, 2 Int; RB Braxton Lakatosh 83-998, 12 TDs; RB Chase Sukanick 75-710, 12 TDs; WR Brady Zimmerman 26-604, 7 TDs; WR Mason Bollinger 33-473, 5 TDs; WR Michael Lagowy 32-478, TD; TE/LB Shane Hulmes 108 tackles, 14 TFLs, 5 sacks, Int.

Breakdown: The Spartans meet the Tigers for the fourth time in a span of 14 months, with Northwestern Lehigh winning all three. The Tigers defeated North Schuylkill 49-7 in the 2024 regular season, 36-7 in the 2024 District 11 Class 3A championship game and 49-18 in the 2025 regular season Sept. 26 in New Tripoli. Entering Friday’s clash, defending PIAA Class 3A state champion Northwestern Lehigh has won 27 straight games. …. The Tigers have been North Schuylkill’s playoff nemesis during Wally Hall’s tenure, also beating the Spartans in the 2022 District 11 3A final, the 2014 District 11 AA final and the 2013 Eastern Conference AA final. …. North Schuylkill controlled the first half of its meeting with the Tigers earlier this season as Miller rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the first half in helping the Spartans build leads of 12-0 and 18-6. Northwestern Lehigh dominated the game from there, scoring the game’s final 42 points and picking off Mengel three times. …. Whatever the Spartans did in the first half en route to that lead, they must execute that way again Friday. While the loss of Smith to a broken collarbone hurts, overall North Schuylkill has the offense to compete with the Tigers. Defensively is where the Spartans have struggled, especially against the pass. For North Schuylkill to end its losing streak against Northwestern, the Spartans will need a strong defensive effort, can’t allow the big play and must force some turnovers to set up short fields.

Up next: Winner faces the Tamaqua-Notre Dame winner in next week’s District 11 Class 3A championship game at a neutral site.

District 11 Class 3A Semifinal

Tamaqua (4-7) vs. Notre Dame-Green Pond (11-0)

Where: Lafayette College

Kickoff: 7:10 p.m.

GPS Address: Put “Markle Parking Deck” into your GPS and it will take you to the correct parking garage.

Last week: Tamaqua upended Saucon Valley 22-15; Notre Dame-Green Pond routed Salisbury 56-0

TV/Radio: Blue Ridge Cable TV-113

Stat Leaders: Tamaqua — QB Chase Serfass 59-121, 652 yards, 4 TDs; RB Terrence McDowell 282-1,577 yards, 18 TDs; FB Malachi Stewart 88-396, 5 TDs; WR Brady McCabe 20-265, 2 TDs; WR Ace Schickram 24-229, 2 TDs; LB Luke Frohnheiser 78 tackles, 15 TFLs. Notre Dame-Green Pond — QB Matt Bodnar 157-233, 2,536 yards, 35 TDs, 3 Int; RB Aaron Gordon 48-335, 5 TDs; RB Jonathan Striba 50-310, 6 TDs rushing, 41-698, 7 TDs receiving; WR Alex Clark 23-447, 9 TDs; WR Drew Boyd 31-638, 7 TDs; WR C.J. Diaz 19-290, 6 TDs; DB Faustie Capobianco 76 tackles, 11 TFLs.

Breakdown: The Blue Raiders are the surprise of the seven remaining local teams, knocking off fourth-seeded Saucon Valley in the quarterfinals and taking a 4-7 record into the semis. The win was the first since September for Tamaqua and ended a four-game win streak. It was the Blue Raiders’ first district playoff win since 2019. …. Kudos to Tamaqua, which most prognosticators thought was in for a rough season after heavy graduation losses. McDowell has emerged as one of the top running backs in the league and fellow sophomore Schickram has played well down the stretch. …. While the Blue Raiders are a feel-good story, they face heavy odds of advancing past the Crusaders. Unbeaten Notre Dame averages 405.9 yards of total offense with Bodnar leading District 11 in passing yards and passing touchdowns. For his career, Bodnar has thrown for more than 7,000 yards and 75 touchdowns. His receivers are fast and talented and Phil Stambaugh’s offense is tough to contain. To be competitive, Tamaqua will need to be able to run the ball consistently, mount long drives and keep the ND offense off the field. That’s a tough task.

Up next: Winner faces North Schuylkill-Northwestern Lehigh winner in next week’s District 11 Class 3A championship game at a neutral site.

District 2/11 Class A Subregional Championship

Tri-Valley (7-4) at Lackawanna Trail (10-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last week: Tri-Valley edged Marian 3-0; Lackawanna Trail dumped Nativity 50-6

Stat leaders: Tri-Valley — QB Trey Porter 58-110, 841 yards, 12 TDs; RB Parker Hatter 124-700, 10 TDs; RB/LB Cole Gemberling 87-477, 9 TDs rushing, 13-153, TD receiving, 161 tackles defensively; WR Cooper Carl 15-270, 4 TDs (ineligible to play); LB Jimmy Fetterhoff 97 tackles. Lackawanna Trail — RB Isaac Ryon 144-2,316, 39 TDs; QB Tyler Jervis 20-37, 479 yards, 6 TDs; LB Colin Owens 72 tackles, 5 TFLs.

Breakdown: The Dawgs meet the Lions for the second straight year in the District 2/11 Class A subregional championship game after losing 42-0 last year. Tri-Valley’s defense has been the key to its success this year and will need to play its best game for TV to upend Lackawanna Trail. The Lions revolve around Ryon, who rushed for 212 yards and six TDs on just 10 carries in the win over Nativity. It’s a simple offense, but Lackawanna Trail executes it well and it’s tough to stop. Offensively, Tri-Valley has to figure out some way to score points. Nathan Hillard’s record-breaking 50-yard field goal was the Dawgs’ only points in the semifinal win over Marian. The Dawgs are averaging 28.5 points per game but most of their offensive numbers have come against the weaker teams in the Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division. For the Dawgs to come out victorious, the defense has to prevent Ryon from breaking big plays and force some turnovers, and the offense has to make some big plays of its own.

Up next: Winner advances to the PIAA Class A playoffs to face the District 4 champion, either Line Mountain or Montgomery.

Saturday’s games

District 11 Class AA Semifinal

Minersville (9-2) at Williams Valley (10-1)

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

TV/Radio: WAVT 101.9 FM (T-102)

Last week: Minersville outlasted Pen Argyl 35-27; Williams Valley decked Executive Education 42-13

Stat Leaders: Minersville — QB Dante Carr 101-155, 1,600 yards, 26 TDs passing; 119-1,252 yards, 18 TDs rushing; RB/LB Derek Derenzo 100-760, 7 TDs rushing, 100 tackles, 16 TFLs defense; WR Paiten LaPoint 42-661, 12 TDs; WR Ty Atkinson 20-369, 7 TDs; WR Matt Dube 22-345, 6 TDs; K Jordan Bowers 53-56 XP, 2-2 FG. Williams Valley — QB Brady Shomper 72-113, 1,527 yards, 23 TDs passing, 125-815, 15 TDs rushing; RB Fletcher Thompson 126-1,360, 17 TDs rushing, 12-314, 4 TDs receiving; WR Evan Achenbach 30-563, 8 TDs; WR Blazer Lords 160-336, 4 TDs; Colin Crisswell 14-285, 6 TDs; LB Trevon Bair 94 tackles, 8 TFLs, 5 sacks; K Quin Smeltz 60-65 XP, 1-3 FG.

Breakdown: The last three times these teams have played, it’s come down to the final minute. Expect the same Saturday night. Expect a lot of points, too. The Vikings have won all three of those close encounters, 31-28 in overtime in 2023, 42-36 last year and 43-40 this season Sept. 12 in Minersville. …. There are a lot of storylines with this one. A) Can the Williams Valley defense, which has allowed an area-best 12.1 points per game, contain Carr? The UCF commit had a performance for the ages against Pen Argyl. Can he duplicate it? B) What’s the health status of WR Paiten LaPoint? The speedy senior wide receiver was injured in the Miners’ quarterfinal win over Pen Argyl and didn’t return. His ability to stretch the opposing defense not only gives Carr a major weapon but gives Carr room to run when pressured. C) Minersville’s defense has been much improved during a six-game win streak since a Week 5 loss at Schuylkill Haven. Can the Miners stop the Williams Valley offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders since a Week 6 loss to Schuylkill Haven? Since Ben Ancheff took over as head coach Oct. 6, the Vikings have outscored four opponents 215-29. QB Shomper and RB Thompson are a fantastic 1-2 combo and Williams Valley’s receiving depth will challenge the Miners’ defense. D) What role will special teams play? Minersville’s Bowers and Williams Valley’s Smeltz have put up big numbers. Could a late field goal decide this one? Maybe. Should be a dandy.

Up next: Winner faces Schuylkill Haven-Northern Lehigh winner in next week’s District 11 Class AA championship game at a neutral site.

District 11 Class AA Semifinal

Northern Lehigh (8-3) at Schuylkill Haven (11-0)

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

TV/Radio: WPPA 1360 AM / 105.9 FM

Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now content editor Leroy Boyer @pubsportsboss

Last week: Northern Lehigh nipped Palisades 29-28 in overtime; Schuylkill Haven crushed Catasauqua 62-14

Stat leaders: Northern Lehigh — QB Garrett Smoyer 113-193, 1,556, 16 TDs passing, 131-467, 7 TDs rushing; RB Grady Newhard 146-652, 10 TDs; RB/WR Chris Frame (injured) 67-496, 9 TDs rushing, 26-450, 4 TDs receiving; WR Colin Karetsky 34-560, 7 TDs; WR Ryan Zambo 33-339, 4 TDs; DE Bill Slattery 83 tackles, 18 TFLs, 7 sacks. Schuylkill Haven — QB Max Heim 46-82, 1,038 yards, 21 TDs; RB Colton Reber 169-2,268, 31 TDs rushing, 13-361, 7 TDs receiving; RB Niko Castillo 60-724, 12 TDs rushing, 14-384, 8 TDs receiving; WR Blake Rossi 8-163, 3 TDs; OG/LB Triston Davis 71 tackles, 12 TFLs, 4 sacks; … Reber has 40 total touchdowns and 258 points.

Breakdown: The Hurricanes will look to reach their third straight District 11 Class AA championship game when they host the Bulldogs at Rotary Field. The Haven offense is clicking on all cylinders, averaging 54.8 points and 475 total yards per game, including 380.6 ypg rushing. The duo of Reber and Castillo, behind a mammoth offensive line, has been impressive while Heim became the first Haven QB to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a season in 20 years. Saturday’s win over Catasauqua was the eighth time in 11 games that Haven has scored 50 or more points. …. Led by Panther Valley graduate Joe Tout, the Bulldogs have won five straight since a Week 6 loss to Notre Dame-Green Pond (40-21). Northern Lehigh’s other losses were to Northwestern Lehigh (56-13) and Palisades (28-14). Bulldogs avenged the Palisades loss in last week’s district quarters. Tout’s club possesses a passing attack that will stretch the Haven defense, combined with a power running attack. QB Smoyer can sling it and run with it. Haven’s defense will need to contain him to be successful. Loss of do-everything receiver/defensive back Chris Frame to a season-ending injury hurts Northern Lehigh. …. For Schuylkill Haven to be successful, the Hurricanes can’t look ahead to next week and have to just keep playing with the intensity and aggression they have been playing with all season.

Up next: Winner faces Minersville-Williams Valley winner in next week’s District 11 Class AA championship game at a neutral site.